I would love to go to church to celebrate Christ's birth, but I'm instead going to celebrate the love I have for my niece and nephew, John and Rebecca, when they arrive on Christmas Day.

I'll also have to remember to create a card for both their classes at Dunbar Hill Elementary School in Hamden. A couple of weeks ago, when I was in the hospital, the children in each of their classes made me get-well cards and a large get-well poster. While the outreach from the children certainly made me feel better, no get-well or sympathy card in the world could make anyone feel better about the senseless shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

If I don't see John and Rebecca, or my brother Joe or his wife, Patty, for Christmas because one of them ends up catching a cold (people on chemo can't be exposed to others who are ill), we know I'll only temporarily not be able to see my favorite prayer warriors.

We know we would want to be together for Christmas, but it can wait for a few days, if need be.

But the pain suffered by the relatives and friends of those who loved the 26 children and adults who perished on Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School is permanent. And so very awful.

My late sister, Karen, would have been 50 that day. I know that heaven has 26 more angels to help Karen help me get better. I am working as hard as I can to fight, and I know I have all of you in my corner. Thank you for your Christmas gifts of prayer.

In November, when I was trudging back and forth for medical tests, I had the pleasure to speak briefly to Dr. Michael Gutman, medical director of New England Urgent Care Facilities in West Hartford. Part of my job as managing editor of The Middletown Press is to direct the news coverage for The West Hartford News, a weekly paper.

Gutman reached out because during the holiday season of overeating, he wanted people to know how to decipher when stomach problems go beyond typical indigestion.

During the holidays, try not to overdo it. Eat and drink in moderation. You know the drill. I don't have to tell you.

However, if you start losing weight without trying, accompanied by nausea and a bloated sensation after eating, you should seek medical attention, Gutman said.

Something as serious as stomach cancer could initially present itself with bloating, mild nausea, possible loss of appetite, heartburn, weight loss and fatigue. The pleasant signs of stomach flu are vomiting, abdominal pain and strains of virus, fever or diarrhea, lasting between one and three days.

According to Gutman, the American Cancer Society's most recent data shows that about 21,000 cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed annually.

The Nov. 5 PET scan that confirmed my breast cancer recurrence showed activity in my stomach, so my oncologist, Dr. Johanna Lasala, sent me for an endoscopy right away. Dr. Howard Likier, gastroenterologist, on Nov. 16 happily announced that my stomach was fine and we all knocked on wood big time.

On Christmas, I will be knocking on wood for all my blessings, and will be praying for a full recovery for me, others who are suffering with cancer and other illnesses and all the folks in Newtown.

Ann DeMatteo is a former longtime Hamden and North Haven reporter for the New Haven Register. She is the managing editor of The Middletown Press. She is waiting to hear your inspirational stories and can be reached at adematteo@middletownpress.com or 203-789-5716.